Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Other Stuff => Cabinets-Speakers => Topic started by: roboDNA on November 12, 2025, 02:02:00 pm
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Hello,
I have purple tolex with white backing. When I cut the tolex it often shows some white strands of backing. I'm using a purple marker to color the backing after I cut and before I crazy glue but it's still not perfect.
Should good quality tolex have matching color for the backing? I noticed many youtube videos showing tolex techniques around corners use black tolex with black backing.
I'm thinking of buying purple leather dye and coloring the backing purple at the edges where rounded corners will be cut. I would rather either have cleaner cuts or matching tolex backing color.
If anyone has pictures of 'really well done' tolex corners on rounded edges it would help me understand how 'invisible' I should expect my seams to be.
I've tried 'fender style' as well as '45 degree' corners. For fender style, I 'pinch' the tolex together at the corner and then use scissors. I sometimes luck out and the seam is invisible enough for me to have a bit of trouble finding it again, but am thinking of doing 45 degree with razor blade cut instead of scissors since the white backing often shows.
Should I prefer one style over the other? The fender style shows less of a seam compared to the 45 degree, but using scissors to cut along the 'pinched' tolex does not appear to be as precise as a razor blade when I overlap the 2 flaps of tolex to make the cut.
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Its not a tweed chassis, but shows how I do corners - with a sharp blade
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Here is an example of bad results I'm getting. I present a very close-up 'fender style' seam I butchered. The seam shows crazy glue, purple paint/marker, white tolex backing, some residue tolex glue and maybe some damage from the burnishing tool. I'll be removing the tolex and trying again until level 11 is reached. Then I'll most likely add corner caps :)
NOTE: I plan on picking up a couple of Home Depot glass scraper single razor blade holder for $2 like these:
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/a-richard-mini-glass-scraper-w-5-blade-storage/1000723874 (https://www.homedepot.ca/product/a-richard-mini-glass-scraper-w-5-blade-storage/1000723874)
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Cut it another way
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Cut it another way
I'm testing my 'non-fender style' 45 degree seam and it's getting there. ( just like you suggested ).
This one is no crazy glue or paint/dye. Not perfect but at least the seam is not as visible.
Should I use crazy glue on all corners or just to repair them?
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Take a look at how tubeswell did his corners. I use that method too, it works on a rounded, 45 deg, or even square corners. I learned nearly everything I know from the Uncle Doug video on the topic. I recommend it very highly--loads of practical advice. This is Part 2 which has most of the corner cut info, but Part I is worth watching too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8PTa4FieM&pp=ygUXdW5jbGUgZG91Zzp0b2xleCBwYXJ0IDI%3D (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8PTa4FieM&pp=ygUXdW5jbGUgZG91Zzp0b2xleCBwYXJ0IDI%3D)
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Take a look at how tubeswell did his corners. I use that method too, it works on a rounded, 45 deg, or even square corners. I learned nearly everything I know from the Uncle Doug video on the topic. I recommend it very highly--loads of practical advice. This is Part 2 which has most of the corner cut info, but Part I is worth watching too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8PTa4FieM&pp=ygUXdW5jbGUgZG91Zzp0b2xleCBwYXJ0IDI%3D (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8PTa4FieM&pp=ygUXdW5jbGUgZG91Zzp0b2xleCBwYXJ0IDI%3D)
That video was very helpful. I'm using his tips. I guess it's acceptable to have the seam slightly visible. Uncle Doug does not use Crazy Glue for the corners. I find the crazy glue often shows up as a bit of hardened white areas and get cleaner corners without using it. Not sure if they will come undone if I don't use crazy glue.
This is a close-up of my latest attempt using Uncle Doug's tips: ( no ink or crazy glue )
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I do it diagonally like suggested here. The trick is to overlap both flaps and cut with an exacto knife through both sheets at once. It takes practice..a lot!
If you think tolex is a PITA.. wait until you need to do grillcloth. That’s very tricky.
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Corners are tough! All of them.
My current favorite is Alcantara. There is no room for error at all. But if you get it right, it looks great and is very durable. One tip with Alcantara -- never ever use superglue of any viscosity -- it bleeds through and creates a white stain much larger than where you applied it. 3M Super 77 spray, or headliner adhesives work well (and many others).
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I do it diagonally like suggested here. The trick is to overlap both flaps and cut with an exacto knife through both sheets at once. It takes practice..a lot!
If you think tolex is a PITA.. wait until you need to do grillcloth. That’s very tricky.
wow! What is the color of the backing? Is that a fully rounded edge for all side? It looks like a 90degree to me on the front so a bit simpler than fully rounded right?
Corners are tough! All of them.
My current favorite is Alcantara. There is no room for error at all. But if you get it right, it looks great and is very durable. One tip with Alcantara -- never ever use superglue of any viscosity -- it bleeds through and creates a white stain much larger than where you applied it. 3M Super 77 spray, or headliner adhesives work well (and many others).
Nice, I've been looking at many types of 'coated fabrics' directly from fabric manufacturers ( upholstery and renovations industry ) and there are many cool options for 'theming out' the cab.... I've seen some do nice work on the front grills too, not just with fabric but with mounted graphics, badges etc. sky is the limit.
I have some 3M 77 so maybe I'll try some of that on the corners instead of considering super glue which I do not plan on using unless for repairs.
Here are the latest pics for my corners and the top panel wrapped over the side panel seam. I'll try using a new razor blade on my next attempt to see if the cuts are cleaner. I used a purple arcrylic paint marker along the seam and won't be doing that again. I'll be trying leather dye next.
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It’s fully rounded. In fact it’s even slanted. It’s the top front corner of a Fender combo type amp.
The back of this tolex is white mesh, like your purple tolex has.
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All corners done. Just waiting on the grill cloth now. I"m also starting another cab build to practice applying tolex. ( this one seems good enough that I can't tear the tolex off to start again ).
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The Joker is going to love his new cabinet. (Just to be clear I think it looks good)
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When doing tolex around the inside corners of the top panel faceplate cutout, should I heat up the tolex and then cut triangles? I tried cutting 1 and then 3 'spokes' like is done for the back panel vent holes but I got a bit of 'tearing' in both cases. The tolex does not fully cover the edge of the inner corner.
The Joker is going to love his new cabinet. (Just to be clear I think it looks good)
I'll be painting the inside of my next one red or bright green ;) The grill cloth I have on order is 'trueBlood Red' and also a jet black one. I'm adding black corners. Joker Theme will look good on my synth rack which is what I'm using these for.